The Airbus A400M is a four-engine turboprop military transport and tanker, designed by Airbus Military. An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing, building, testing, selling, and maintaining aircraft, aircraft parts, missiles, rockets, and/or spacecraft. ... Airbus Military SL (Sociedad Limitada) is a subsidiary of Airbus S.A.S. created for the management of the A400M project, taking over from Euroflag. ... A schematic diagram showing the operation of a turboprop engine. ... Airbus Military SL (Sociedad Limitada) is a subsidiary of Airbus S.A.S. created for the management of the A400M project, taking over from Euroflag. ...

Development

The project began as the Future International Military Airlifter (FIMA) group, set up in 1982 by Aerospatiale, British Aerospace, Lockheed, and MBB to develop a replacement for the C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transall. Varying requirements and the complications of international politics caused slow progress. In 1989 Lockheed left the grouping and went on to develop an upgraded Hercules, the C-130J. With the addition of Alenia and CASA the FIMA group became Euroflag. The Aerospatiale Corvette first flew in 1970 and went into service in 1974. ... British Aerospace (BAe) was a UK aircraft and defence systems manufacturer, now part of BAE Systems. ... The Lockheed SR-71 was remarkably advanced for its time and remains unsurpassed in many areas of performance. ... Messerschmitt is a famous German aircraft manufacturer, known primarily for their World War II fighter aircraft, notably the Bf 109 and Me 262. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop cargo aircraft and the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. ... The Transall C-160 is a military transport aircraft developed by a consortium of French and German aircraft manufacturers for the air forces of those two nations and that of South Africa. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop aircraft, is the main tactical air transport aircraft of the United States and United Kingdom military forces. ... Alenia Aeronautica Italian aeronautic company Alenia Difesa Italian defense products company Alenia Spazio Italian aerospace company [now called Alcatel Alenia Space] Alenia Marconi Systems or AMS Anglo-Italian electronic company Categories: Disambiguation ... CASA Jungmann, built in 1957. ... This article is about a group of companies, not the European flag. ...

The partner nations, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Belgium, and Luxembourg, signed an agreement in May 2003 to buy 212 aircraft. These nations decided to charge OCCAR with the management of the acquisition of the A400M. OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière dARmement) is a European organisation for coordinating the procurement of purchases of weapon systems by European countries. ...

Following the withdrawal of Italy and revision of procurement totals the revised requirement was for 180 aircraft, with first flight in 2008 and first delivery in 2009. On 28 April 2005, South Africa joined the partnership programme with the state owned Denel Aerospace Systems receiving a contract for fuselage components. is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Denel Aerospace Systems is a division of Denel, the South African armaments production company. ...

Design

Model of the A400M showing the turboprop engines

A400M landing gear

The Airbus A400M will increase the airlift capacity and range compared to the aircraft it was originally set to replace, the older versions of the Hercules and Transall. Cargo capacity is expected to double over existing aircraft, both in payload and volume, and range is increased substantially as well. Like Airbus' other aircraft, the A400M will have a full glass cockpit (all information accessed through large colour screens) and fly-by-wire and as such will represent a technological leap compared to the older C-130s and C-160s that many countries now operate. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A flight control system consists of the flight control surfaces, the respective cockpit controls, connecting linkage, and necessary operating mechanisms to control aircraft in flight The basic fundamentals of aircraft controls has been explained in aeronautics. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop aircraft, is the main tactical air transport aircraft of the United States and UK military forces. ... The Transport Allianz Transall C-160 is a military transport aircraft developed by a consortium of French and German aircraft manufacturers for the air forces of those two nations and that of South Africa. ...

The Airbus A400M will operate in many configurations including cargo transport, troop transport, MEDEVAC, aerial refuelling, and electronic surveillance. A [PC-12] of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. ... Aerial refueling, also called in-flight refueling (IFR) or air-to-air refueling (AAR), is the practice of transferring fuel from one aircraft to another during flight. ...

Originally the SNECMA M138 turboprop (based on the M88 core) was selected to power the A400M. Airbus Military issued a new Request for Proposal in April 2002 which Pratt & Whitney Canada and Europrop answered. Although industry sources indicated the P&WC proposal was the winning bid Airbus Military announced, after evaluating both designs, the selection of the Europrop TP400-D6 in May 2003. Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) is a Canadian aircraft engine manufacturer. ...

The A400M's wings are primarily carbon fibre reinforced plastic. The cockpit features a fly-by-wire flight control system with sidestick controllers and flight envelope protection. High performance turboprop engines will allow operation in a civil air traffic control environment.^[1] Tail of a RC helicopter, made of CFRP Carbon fiber reinforced plastic or (CFRP or CRP), is a very strong, light and expensive composite material or fiber reinforced plastic. ... A flight control system consists of the flight control surfaces, the respective cockpit controls, connecting linkage, and necessary operating mechanisms to control aircraft in flight The basic fundamentals of aircraft controls has been explained in aeronautics. ...

Production

The A400M assembly at the Seville plant of EADS Spain started in Q1 2007. Airbus plans to manufacture thirty aircraft per year.^[2] The major assemblies arrive by Airbus Beluga transporters. The four EuroProp TP400-D6 flight test engines have been delivered in late February 2008 for the first Airbus A400M.^[3] According to EADS the first "static tests" of a dedicated A400M complete structure were started on 14th March in Spain.^[4] For other uses, see Seville (disambiguation). ... CASA Jungmann, built in 1957. ... The Airbus A300-600ST (Super Transporter) or Beluga is a version of the standard Airbus A300 wide-body airliner, modified to carry aircraft parts and over-sized or awkward cargo. ...

The first test flight, scheduled until recently for Q1 2008, has been postponed due to repeated program delays, schedule adjustments and mounting financial pressures. EADS announced in early January 2008 that continued development problems with the engines has resulted in a delay to Q2 2008 before the first engine test flights on a C130 testbed aircraft. The first flight of the aircraft, previously scheduled for July 2008 timeframe is now TBD, but a best estimate would be late 2008. There are also stories in the international Aviation Press, denied by Airbus Executives, that the aircraft faces other design and or development issues related to wings and fuselage components.^[5] Civil certification under EASA CS-25 will be followed later by certification for military purposes. Agency of the European Union Location: Cologne, Germany Formation: - Signed - Established September 28, 2003 Superseding pillar: European Community Director: Patrick Goudou Website: easa. ...

Sales

On 9 December 2004, the South African Air Force announced it was to purchase eight A400Ms at the total cost of €837 million, and had options on 6 more, with South Africa therefore joining the Airbus Military team as an industrial partner. Deliveries are expected from 2010 to 2014. is the 343rd day of the year (344th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The South African Air Force (SAAF) (Afrikaans: Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag) is the air force of South Africa. ...

On 18 July 2005, the Chilean Air Force signed a MOU for 3 aircraft to be delivered between 2018 and 2022,^[6] although the deal was later cancelled.^{[citation needed]} is the 199th day of the year (200th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Air Force Flag The Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aérea de Chile, FACH) is the national Air Force or aviation branch of the armed forces of Chile. ... A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. ...

On 8 December 2005 the Royal Malaysian Air Force ordered four A400M, to replace its ageing fleet of C-130s. is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 2005: // Events January January 29 - Nonstop flights between mainland China and Taiwan take off for the first time since 1949. ... The Royal Malaysian Air Force (Malay: Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia or TUDM) was formed in 1958 as the Royal Malayan Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Persekutuan). ...

Canada issued a tender on 5 July 2006 for 17 new tactical airlifters to replace their old CC-130E models.^[7] The A400M would be competing for the order with the Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules. Airbus has proposed the A400Ms would serve as the Canadian Force's mid-range transports. Instead, the government has purchased 4 Boeing C-17s as long-range transports, the first of which was delivered into CF inventory on August 12th 2007 [1] and on June 29th 2007 issued the RFP to Lockheed Martin for procurement of the C-130J,[2] This effectively eliminates the A400M from any hope EADS/Airbus entertained about Canada purchasing the A400M when it finally becomes available. ^[8] On 16 January 2008, Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced a 1.4 billion deal with Lockheed-Martin to acquire 17 Hercules.^[9] is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... There are two types of airlifts in the military, strategic and tactical. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop aircraft, is the main tactical air transport aircraft of the United States and United Kingdom military forces. ... Lockheed/BAE/Northrop F-35 Lockheed Trident missile C-130 Hercules; in production since the 1950s, now as the C-130J Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is an aerospace manufacturer formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... The C_17 Globemaster III is a strategic airlifter manufactured by Boeing IDS, used by the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force. ... is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ...

Orders

is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Spain. ... is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Turkey. ... is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Belgium. ... is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Luxembourg. ... is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Africa. ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Malaysia. ...

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 6 (2 pilots, 3rd optional, 1 loadmaster)
• Capacity: 37,000 kg (82,000 lb), 116 fully equipped troops / paratroops, up to 66 stretchers accompanied by 25 medical personnel
• Length: 43.8 m (143 ft 8 in)
• Wingspan: 42.4 m (139 ft 1 in)
• Height: 14.6 m (47 ft 11 in)
• Empty weight: 70 tonnes (154,000 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 130 tonnes (287,000 lb)

• Total Internal Fuel: 46.7 tonnes (103,000 lb)
• Max. Landing Weight: 114 tonnes (251,000 lb)
• Max. Payload: 37 tonnes (82,000 lb))

• Powerplant: 4× EuroProp International TP400-D6^[10] turboprop, 8,250 kW (11,000 hp) each

Performance The distance AB is the wing span of this Aer Lingus Airbus A320. ... In aviation, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (or MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft can achieve flight. ... The EuroProp International TP400-D6 is the all-new powerplant for the Airbus Military A400M, superseding the now defunct Aero Propulsion Alliance TP400-D1 M88 derivative proposed earlier. ...

• Maximum speed: 300 knots CAS (560 km/h, 350 mph)
• Cruise speed: Mach 0.68 - 0.72 ()

• Initial Cruise Altitude: at MTOW: 9,000 m (29,000 ft)

• Range: at Max. payload: 3,300 km (1,782 nmi) (long range cruise speed; reserves as per MIL-C-5011A)
  • Range at 30-tonne payload: 4,800 km (2,592 nmi)
  • Range at 20-tonne payload: 6,950 km (3,753 nmi))
• Ferry range: 9,300 km (5,022 nmi)
• Service ceiling 11,300 m (37,000 ft)

• Tactical Takeoff Distance: 940 m (3 080 ft) (aircraft weight 100 tonnes, soft field, ISA, sea level)
• Tactical Landing Distance: 625 m (2 050 ft) (see above)
• Turning Radius (Ground): 28.6 m

References

V speeds are speeds that define certain performance and limiting characteristics of an aircraft. ... Calibrated airspeed (CAS) is indicated airspeed, corrected for instrument error and position error. ... V speeds are speeds that define certain performance and limiting characteristics of an aircraft. ... An F/A-18 Hornet at transonic speed and displaying the Prandtl-Glauert singularity just before reaching the speed of sound Mach number (Ma) (generally pronounced , sometimes or ) is the speed of an object moving through air, or any fluid substance, divided by the speed of sound through that substance... In aviation, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (or MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft is allowed to try to achieve flight. ... The maximal total range is the distance an aircraft can fly between takeoff and landing, as limited by fuel capacity in powered aircraft, or cross-country speed and environmental conditions in unpowered aircraft. ... In aeronautics, a ceiling is the maximum density altitude an aircraft can reach under a set of conditons The service ceiling attempts to capture the maximum usable altitude of an aircraft. ...

External links

• Airbus Military
• OCCAR
  • A400M Countdown
• A400M history, photo gallery and technical details (EADS-CASA website)
• MachineDesign article on A400M
• A400M program suppliers at Airframer.com
• Airforce-Technology.com page on A400M

See also

• Airlift (military)
• Cargo aircraft
  

There are two types of airlifts in the military, strategic and tactical. ... A large military cargo aircraft: the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III A cargo aircraft is an airplane designed and used for the carriage of goods, rather than passengers. ...

Comparable aircraft

• Antonov An-70
• C-130 Hercules
• C-160 Transall
• Kawasaki C-X
• C-17 Globemaster III
• Shaanxi Y-9
  

Antonov An-70 The Antonov An-70 is a next-generation four-engine medium-distance transport aircraft, and the first large aircraft to be powered by propfan engines. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop cargo aircraft and the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. ... The Transall C-160 is a military transport aircraft developed by a consortium of French and German aircraft manufacturers for the air forces of those two nations and that of South Africa. ... The Kawasaki C-X is the next generation transport aircraft developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries for the Japanese Self-Defence Force(JSDF). ... For the Lockheed aircraft with this designation, see C-17 Super Vega. ...